Pain Medicine

Go ahead, sleep in — it’s good for the heart

Luis — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 23:17:43 +0000

Just one extra hour of sleep a day appears to lower the risk of developing calcium deposits in the arteries, a precursor to heart disease, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday.

Can’t work? Need health care? Take a number

Luis — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:52:09 +0000

An estimated 1.8 million disabled workers are languishing in Medicare limbo at any given time, due to a law requiring them to wait 2 years for benefits. One in eight dies waiting.

Millions of seniors use risky drug combos

Luis — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:03:07 +0000

At least 2 million seniors are taking a combination of drugs or supplements that can be risky — from blood thinners and cholesterol pills to aspirin and ginkgo capsules.

Mental patients isolated for years despite laws

Luis — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:35:00 +0000

Mental patients sprinkled throughout the nation's psychiatric hospitals are being locked up alone for years despite laws aimed at preventing the practice, because medical workers say they're too dangerous to handle any other way.

Recession means hunger at holidays for many

Luis — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:10:26 +0000

U.S. food banks have reported a 30 percent rise in requests for emergency food assistance, according to a report.